As per various reports, Kovind, former Bihar
Governor, is set to become the 14 thPresident of India and is expected to get nearly 70% of
the votes.

Ram Nath Kovind, who is Prime Minister NarendraModi's choice, is a Dalit candidate and his name was dubbed as a masterstroke
to divide the opposition and keep allies together. His name was also suggested
as a move to cement the backward castes.

If elected, Ram Nath Kovind will be the second
Dalit President of India after KR Narayanan.

As the counting of votes is underway, here's
everything you should know

1. COUNTING UNDERWAY :-

Counting
of votes is underway at the Parliament House in Room Number 62. The ballot
boxes collected from all the states are locked up in the room and the results
will be out at 5pm. Counting of votes is happening on four tables
and under the supervision of Lok Sabha general secretary Anoop Mishra. There
will be eight rounds of counting. Ballot boxes will be opened in the
presence of representatives of the two candidates -- Ram Nath Kovind and Meira
Kumar -- and the observers of the Election Commission. To become a
President, a candidate needs more than 50% of votes, which means 49,452 votes.
The Presidential election saw almost 99 per cent voting, the highest ever. A
total of 4,895 voters, 4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs were eligible to vote.

After wining, Sri Ram Nath Kovind congratulates
Meira Kumar for her campaign. Says the rainy weather in Delhi today reminds him
of his childhood. He pays tribute to the farmers, oppressed and the poor
of the country, and says they should never give up hope. Kovind says he had
never thought he would ever become President but will carry out his duties with
pride. He finishes off by promising to be a loyal servant of the country.

Meira Kumar graceful after defeat
congratulates Kovind and thanks parliamentarians for supporting her candidature.
"I send my good wishes to him." I thank Sonia Gandhi and leaders of
opposition parties for their support, she says. "My battle for
ideology doesn't end. it will continue. The principles that I am fighting are
sacred," she says.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
congratulates Kovind for bagging two-third of the total votes in the
presidential race. He thanks and wishes the best for Kovind on behalf of
the citizens of Uttar Pradesh. The state would like to welcome and host him
after he takes oath as the 14th President of India, he adds.

Prime Minister Sri Narendra Damodar Das Modi
has also commended Meira Kumar in twitter: I also congratulate
@meira_kumar Ji for her campaign, which was in spirit of the democratic ethos
& values we all are proud of.

Here's what BJP President Amit Shah has to say:
The election of Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji is a victory for the poor, downtrodden
& marginalised and their aspirations.

Here's what devjiblog has to say the Election of Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji that has says that the winning as India President of India, Congrats to Ram Nath Kovind.